Share this article
Improve this guide
Fix Skype install errors 1603, 1618, and 1619 on Windows 10/11
10 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
Share this article
Improve this guide
Read our disclosure page to find out how can you help Windows Report sustain the editorial teamRead more
Key notes
Skype is a default messaging client onWindows 10, and millions of users useSkypeon a daily basis. DespiteSkype’s popularity, some users are having issues while installingSkype.
Today we’re going to show you how to fixSkypeinstallerrors 1603, 1618, and 1619.
How can I fix Skype install errors 1603, 1618, and 1619?
What can I do when getting Skype install error 1603?
Error 1603 usually occurs when you try to updateSkypewithout removing files and registry entries from the previousSkypeinstallation. To fix this problem, simply uninstallSkypefrom your PC.
You must be wondering now: How do I completely remove all traces of a program? You normally uninstall it from Control Panel but the default uninstallation utility doesn’t always remove the program entirely.
There are many 3rd party software tools that come in handy in such a case. If you don’t know what to choose, you can’t go wrong with one of thesegreat uninstaller software apps.
After the tool does its job, download the latest version ofSkypeand try toinstallit again.
- Use Run dialog
Users reported that you can fix this error simply by running one command. To do that, follow the above steps. If the command doesn’t work, restart your PC and try the same steps again.
Users reported error 1603 while installingSkype, and according to them, this issue is caused by leftover files, file corruption or Windows installer issues. Most of these problems can be fixed by downloading and running the SRT tool.
After youdownload SRTand run it, the issue with error 1603 will be resolved and you should be able toinstallSkypewithout any problems.
Users reported that thiserroris a generic error message from MSI-installer, but you should be able to fix this issue bydownloading Skype MSI.
If that doesn’t work, you can use tools such asLessmsito extract the Skype.exe from theSkypeMSI file and use it toinstallSkype.
Some versions ofSkypemight install the Skype Video application with them and this application can interfere with theSkypeupdate process causing error 1603 to appear.
To fix this problem, simply uninstall theSkypeVideo application and try to update orinstallSkypeagain.
Sometimes, theSkypeinstallerror 1603 can appear if you don’t have sufficient privileges over the Temp folder. To change security privileges, perform the above procedure.
After changing the security privileges you should be able toinstallSkypewithout any problems.
Theantivirus programscan also interfere withSkypeinstallationand causeerror1603 to appear. According to users, thiserrorwas caused byMcAfeeantivirus and after removing the tool the problem was completely resolved.
Users reported that it’s not enough just to uninstall the antivirus tool, you have to also remove all files and registry entries associated with McAfee.
To do that, you’ll need todownload the McAfee removal tooland run it on your PC. Keep in mind that almost any antivirus tool can cause this issue, so even if you don’t use McAfee you can try removing your antivirus program.
Users reported some issues with Spyware Doctor, so if you have this toolinstalled, we suggest that you remove it and try to installSkypeagain.
If you’re using any antivirus solution and you want to completely remove it from your PC, be sure to check outthis amazing listwith the best uninstaller software you can use right now.
If you’re gettingerror1603, you need to be sure that theinstallationdirectory isn’t encrypted.Skypecan’t beinstalledin encrypted directories, therefore you need to temporarily disable encryption to fix this problem.
This error can occur if you don’t have the necessary privileges over theinstallationdirectory. To fix this problem, you’ll need to give Full control to the System account.
To see how to do that, locate theinstallationdirectory and follow steps 3-7 fromSolution 6. Just be sure to assignFull controltoSystemaccount.
User Account Controlis a useful feature designed to alert you whenever you or a certain application tries to make a system change that requires administrator privileges.
Although this feature can provide some protection, it can also interfere withSkypeinstallationand cause error 1603 to appear.
To fix this problem, you can disable this feature by following the steps above. After disabling User Account Control, this issue should be permanently resolved.
Need more help in managing User Account Control inWindows 10? Everything you need to know is righthere.
How can I fix Skype install error 1618?
Error 1618 usually appears when you’re trying toinstallmore than one application at a time. For example, thiserrorcan appear if you accidentally startedSkypeinstallationtwice.
In order to fix it, you need to end the msiexec.exe process. To do that, follow the given steps.
What is the Windows Repair tool? Windows Repair is a utility that helps you repair the Windows system.
It can quickly scan your computer to identify and fix a large majority of known Windows problems including file permissions, registry errors, or Windows Update issues.
According to users, they managed to fix error 1618 when installingSkypesimply by using the Windows Repair tool.
This third-party tool is designed to repair many problems with your registry and folder permissions, and after you run it, the problem withSkypeinstallationshould be resolved.
Before we start editing the Registry, we have to warn you that changing the registry can cause issues with your operating system.
Therefore it’s highly recommended that you create a backup of your registry in case anything goes wrong. To edit your registry, do the following.
Sometimes this error can occur due to problems with WindowsInstallerservice, but you can easily fix it by disabling and enabling the service.
Some users are also suggesting to stop WindowsInstallerservice and try to installSkypeagain, so you might want to try that as well.
Many applications put temporary setup files on your PC before starting theinstallation, and those setup files can cause error 1618 to appear while installingSkype.
To fix this problem, you need to delete temporary files by following the above steps. If theinstallationallows you to specify where do you want to extract temporary setup files, be sure to open that folder and delete everything from it.
After deleting all temporary files, try toinstallSkypeagain.
Few users reported that you can fix error 1618 simply by re-registering WindowsInstallerfiles. You may try that as well. When your PC restarts, this error should be fixed, and you’ll be able toinstallSkypewithout any problems.
You can fix error 1618 simply by changingGroup Policysettings. It isn’t at all difficult to do so.
If other solutions don’t work, you might want to try runningSkypesetup as an administrator. To do that, locate theSkypesetup file, right-click it and chooseRun as administrator.
How can I fix Skype install error 1619?
Usually, these setup files are packed with MSI installer, and in most cases, you can extract the files and run them manually. We briefly explained how to do that in one of our previous solutions, so be sure to check it out.
Skypeinstallation error 1619 might appear if you’re trying to install an older version ofSkype. Fixing this problem is relatively easy, and all that you have to do is to download the latest version ofSkypeand try to install it.
Skypeinstall errors 1603, 1618, and 1619 are relatively common, but you can easily fix them by using one of our solutions.
Be sure to try them one by one and let us know which procedure worked for you.
Be prepared for anything and take a look at theseuseful Skype guides to troubleshoot errors.
Yes, you can. However, make sure to unlink yourMicrosoft accountfirst, or else you won’t succeed.
More about the topics:productivity software
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Milan has been enthusiastic about technology ever since his childhood days, and this led him to take interest in all PC-related technologies. He’s a PC enthusiast and he spends most of his time learning about computers and technology.
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s one of the Troubleshooting experts in our worldwide team, specializing in Windows errors & software issues.
User forum
0 messages
Sort by:LatestOldestMost Votes
Comment*
Name*
Email*
Commenting as.Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
Milan Stanojevic
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Before joining WindowsReport, he worked as a front-end web developer. Now, he’s specialized in Windows errors & software issues.
